Hikers, reserve deputy recovering in hospitals

Search-and-rescue volunteer John Norman, right, of Fullerton gets a hug from fellow team member Barbara Pitiak, center, after lost hiker Kyndall Jack was rescued. The two heard the screams of Jack before she was airlifted out. Norman and Pitiak work with the San Bernardino sheriff's search-and-rescue squad. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Investigators were trying Friday to find out what occurred during the four nights two hikers were lost in the canyon in Cleveland National Forest, surrounded by thick brush, rough terrain and out of sight of dozens of volunteers who scoured the steep slopes looking for them.

Authorities attempted to speak to 18-year-old Kyndall Jack shortly after she was found on a narrow, rocky ledge Thursday afternoon and taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, but the Costa Mesa teen was severely dehydrated and confused, said Lt. Jason Park of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"They spoke to her really briefly," Park said.

According to Park, deputies returned to UCI Medical Center on Friday to check on Jack's condition and find out what she may remember. Authorities declined to comment on what information, if any, they obtained. Officials also have been in contact with Cendoya to understand what happened, and how the two became lost in the wilderness Sunday night.

Hospital spokesman John Murray said Jack had no memory of going hiking or of being with Cendoya, but she suffered no major internal injuries. She remained in intensive care Friday while doctors continued to run tests, Murray said.

Jack's companion, 19-year-old Nicolas Cendoya, was also disoriented when he was found Wednesday night.

Still, authorities said, chances of survival for the two were good because of their age and health, and the stability of the temperatures while they were stranded.

Officials at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo on Friday released a photo of an awake and alert Cendoya smiling and giving a "thumbs-up" to the camera.

A reserve deputy who was trying to reach Jack on Thursday fell about 60 feet and was seriously injured, Park said. He was taken to a hospital were he was listed in serious condition. His name was not released.

His injuries are not life-threatening, officials said.

Mike Ward, a San Bernardino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Coordinator who worked with the reserve deputy during the search, said the deputy slipped and fell 10 feet, hitting his chest on a rock before falling another 50 feet and hitting his head.

Along with lacerations on his head, the deputy also suffered a punctured lung, broken ribs and other injuries, Ward said.

"I want to thank all those who never stopped trying to find me and Kyndall, especially Amanda and her friends who were the ones to find me. To my parents, friends and family – so many supporters I didn't even know I had. Thanks to all the nurses and doctors here at Mission for the great care I've gotten," Cendoya said in a statement released by the hospital.

"The whole time I was lost, I felt the presence of Jesus and my friend, Carlos, who died last year of cancer. I felt they were both with me, inspiring me to stay alive."

A group of hikers found Cendoya on Wednesday evening, on such difficult terrain that rescue crews had to cut their way to him. The brush was so thick that rescuers lost sight of him even when they were several feet away, officials said.

Search-and-rescue volunteer John Norman, right, of Fullerton gets a hug from fellow team member Barbara Pitiak, center, after lost hiker Kyndall Jack was rescued. The two heard the screams of Jack before she was airlifted out. Norman and Pitiak work with the San Bernardino sheriff's search-and-rescue squad. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Nicolas Cendoya recovering at Mission Hospital. COURTESY OF MISSION HOSPITAL
The Orange County Sheriff's Department was initially in contact with Nicolas Cendoya, 19, and Kyndall Jack, 18, both of Costa Mesa, but their cellphone battery died and contact was lost. ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF&#128;'S DEPARTMENT
Dr. Mike Ritter, director of emergency medical services at Mission Hospital, speaks to members of the media Thursday about Nicolas Cendoya, one of the two hikers lost in the Trabuco Creek area since Sunday. Cendoya was found Wednesday night and brought by helicopter to the hospital. His companion was found Thursday and airlifted out to another hospital. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Los Angeles County sheriff's rescue helicopter stands by after delivering rescued hiker Kyndall Jack, 18, to UCI Medical Center in Orange. JEBB HARRIS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Search and rescue personnel unload a Los Angeles County Sheriff's rescue helicopter after finishing their shift in searching for Nicolas Cendoya, 19, and Kyndall Jack, 18, who were missing since Sunday night near Holy Jim Canyon. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Mission Hospital emergency room doctor Matthew Kaplan came out briefly Wednesday evening to speak with reporters about rescued hiker Nicolas Cendoya, 19, of Costa Mesa. Kaplan stated Cendoya was in serious condition and was to be admitted by trauma surgeons into intensive care for observation. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
A team situation board in the search-and-rescue command center details some of the moments as lost hiker Kyndall Jack was found in Trabuco Canyon. Rescuers heard a female voice and found her. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A helicopter believed to be carrying an injured reserve sheriff's deputy who was helping rescue Kyndall Jack lands at Mission Hospital on Thursday afternoon. The deputy suffered a head injury, said Orange County sheriff's Lt. Jason Park. SAM GANGWER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Search-and-rescue teams look on during a news conference Thursday to announce the rescue of hiker Kyndall Jack. Her friend and hiking companion Nicolas Cendoya was rescued Wednesday night. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Search-and-rescue team members gather their gear after returning to the command post after teenage hiker Kyndall Jack, 18, of Costa Mesa was found Thursday morning in rocky terrain so steep that a helicopter had to hoist her to safety. KEN STEINHARDT, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Two searchers, seen at right Wednesday, were rescued while attempting to help search for Nicolas Cendoya, 19, and Kyndall Jack, 18. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Nicolas Cendoya, 19, of Costa Mesa. ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF&#128;&#65533;S DEPARTMENT
Kyndall Jack, 18, of Costa Mesa ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF&#128;&#65533;S DEPARTMENT

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.